Velocipede.



PATENTED JUNE 1 6,- 1908;.

G. EQOGONNOR. VELOUIPEDB. APPLIGATION FILED DEC. 11, 1907.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GEORGE E. OOONNOR, OF STARK, NEW HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR TO THE SHEFFIELD OAR COMPANY, OF THREE RIVERS, MICHIGAN.

VELOCIPEDE.

No. 890,790. I

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 16, 1908.

Application filed December 11, 1907. Serial No. 406,107.

T 0 all whom "it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE E. OCoNNoR, a citizen of the United States, residing at Stark, New Hampshire, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Velocipedes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in velocipedes.

It relates particularly to the driving mechanism, and is especially designed by me for use on railway velocipedes, although it is adapted for use in various other relations.

The main objects of this invention are: First, to provide in a velocipede an improved driving or propelling mechanism, which is very powerful, and, at the same time, one which maybe used with the greatest degree of comfort by the operator. Second, to provide an improved driving mechanism for velocipedes which may be adjusted for the use of men of different sizes.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention.

by the devices and means described in the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out inthe claims.

A structure embodying the features of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, in which,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a railway velocipede embodying the features of my invention. Fig. 2 is a detail horizontal plan, taken on a line corresponding to line 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail perspective, show ing the arrangement of one of the foot levers. and its driving connection. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail cross section, taken on a line corresponding to line 4-4 of Fig. 2,, showing details of the hanger for one of the foot levers In the drawing, the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines, and similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawing, the frame of the velocipede is preferably made up of horizontally-arranged side rails 1 and 2, arranged in pairs and connected by suitable cross-pieces forming a rectangular frame. The traction Wheels 3. are preferably arranged between l these side rails, one at the front end and the other at the rear end thereof. The third traction wheel, which is not here illustrated, is carried by the detachable bar 4. The frame is provided with a suitable seat, as 5. In front of the seat is pivoted the hand lever 6, it being mounted on a suitable pivot rod, as 7, carried by the brackets 8, the lever being mounted between the side rails of the frame, as clearly appears from the drawing. In front of the rear traction wheel is a crank shaft 9, which is connected to the axle of the rear traction wheel by a suitable train of gears, as illustrated, or otherwise.

The crank shaft is connected to the lower end of the hand lever by means of the pitman rods 10, the connection of the pitman rods to the hand lever being preferably made by means of the pivot rod 11. These pitman rods are arranged at each side of the frame, the cranks of the crank shaft being adapted to swing up at the sides of the frame.

Mounted on the hangers 12 at the front end of the frame is a air of bell-crank foot levers 13. These foot evers are arranged with one of their arms projecting rearwardly and downwardly, and the other projecting downwardly. The rearwardly-projecting arm is provided with a foot-piece 14, and the downwardly-projecting arm is provided with a plurality of holes 15. The hangers 12 are preferably adapted to fit over the lower side rails of the frame, as clearly appears in Fig. 1, and are adjustably secured thereon by means of the set-screws 16.

The levers are preferably supported by the ivot bolts 17, arranged through the hangers from the inside, the nuts being on the outside, so that the levers can be attached' or removed conveniently after the hangers are in place. The hangers are preferably made adjustable, so that the device can be adjusted to fit the particular user. The downwardly-projecting arms of the foot-levers are connected to the hand lever by means of the links 18. These links are preferably made up of two members adjustably connected, so that their length can be regulated, the members of the links illustrated being threaded together. The link members are' preferably provided with hooksat their outer ends, the hook of one member being adapted to be engaged in the bolts 15 of the downwardly-projecting arm of the foot levers, and the hook of the other member being adapted to be engaged over the pivot rod 11, by which the pitman rods are connected to the hand lever. By this means, a complete adjustment is secured and by adjusting the links on the foot levers the leverage is regulated. By thus forming and arranging the foot levers, the stroke is so gaged that the operator can manipulate the same with a movement which is quite natural, and, at the same time, may, if required, exert great power thereon, as they are in position to receive a large part of the thrust or weight of the body. I thus secure a device on which not only great power may be exerted, but with comparative convenience to the user. The structure possesses the further advantage of being simple and economical to produce and readily adjusted. by an unskilled workman.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a frame, comprising side rails arranged. in pairs connected by crosspieces; a pair of traction wheels; a crank shaft arranged transversely of said frame and in front of the rear traction wheel; driving connections for said crank shaft to the rear traction wheel; a hand lever arranged between the side rails of said frame; a pair of pitman rods arranged on each side of the frame, connected to said crank shaft; a pivot rod for connecting said pitman rods to said hand lever; a pair of bell-crank foot levers arranged so that one of their arms projects rearwardly and the other downwardly, the rearwardly-proj ecting arms being provided. with foot-pieces and the downwardly-projecting arms having a plurality of holes therein; hangers on which said foot levers are pivotally mounted, adjustably mounted. on the bottom side rails of the frame and coupling links for said foot levers to said pitman rods, said links being made up of adjustably-connected members, said members being provided with hooks, one of which is adapted to be engaged in said holes in said foot lever arms, and the other with the said pivot rod of said pitman rods.

2. In a'structure of the class described, the combination of a frame, comprising side rails arranged in pairs connected by crosspieces; a pair of traction wheels; a crank shaft arranged transversely of said frame and in front of the rear traction wheel; driving connections for said crank shaft to the rear traction wheel; a hand lever arranged between the side rails of said frame; a pair of pitman rods arranged on each side of the frame, connected to said crank shaft; a pivot rod for connecting said, pitman rods to said hand lever; a pair of bell-crank foot levers arranged so that one of their arms projects rearwardly and the other downwardly, the rearwardly-projecting arms being provided with foot-pieces and coupling links for said foot levers to said pitman rods, said links being connected to thedownwardly-projecting arms of said foot levers.

3. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a frame, com rising side rails arranged in pairs connected by crosspieces; traction wheels; a hand lever; driving connections therefor to one of the traction wheels; a pair of bell-crank levers arranged so that one of their arms projects rearwardly and the other downwardly, the rearwardlyprojec-ting arms being provided with footpieces and the downwardly-projecting arms having a plurality of holes therein; hangers on which said foot levers are pivotallymounted, adjustably mounted on the bottom side rails of the frame; and coupling links for said foot levers to said hand levers, said links being made up of two adjustably-connected members, said members being provided with hooks, one of which is adapted to be engaged in said holes in said foot lever arms, and the other with the said hand lever.

4. In a structure of the class described,'the combination of a frame, comprising side rails arranged in pairs connected by cross-pieces; traction wheels; a hand lever; driving connections therefor to one of the traction wheels; a pair of bell-crank foot levers arranged so that one of their arms projects rearwardly and the other downwardly, the rearwardly-projecting arms being provided with foot-pieces hangers on which said foot levers are pivotally mounted; and coupling links for said foot levers to said hand levers, said links being connected to the downwardly-projecting arms of said foot levers.

5. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a frame; traction wheels; a hand lever; driving connections therefor to one of said traction wheels; a pair of bell-' crank foot levers arranged so that one of their arms projects rearwardly and the other downwardly, the rearwardly-projecting arms being provided with foot-pieces and the downwardly-projecting arms having a plurality of holes therein; adjustable hangers on which said foot levers are pivotally mounted; and coupling links for said foot levers to said hand lever, said links being made up of adjustably-connected members, said members being provided with hooks, one of which is adapted to be engaged in said holes in said foot lever arms, and the other with the said hand levers.

6. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a frame; traction wheels; a hand lever; driving connections therefor to one of said traction wheels; a pair of bellcrank foot levers arranged so that one of their arms projects rearwardly and the other downwardly, the rearwardly-projecting arms being provided with foot-pieces; and coupling links for said foot levers to said hand lever said links being connected to the downwardly-projecting arms of said foot levers.

7. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a frame; traction wheels; a hand lever; driving connections therefor to one of said traction wheels; a pair of bellcrank foot levers arranged so that one of their arms projects rearwardly and the other downwardly, the rearwardly-projecting arms being provided with foot-pieces; adjustable hangers on which said foot levers are pivotally mounted; and adjustable cou ling links for said foot levers to said hand ever, said links being adjustably connected to the downwardly-projecting arms of said foot le vers.

8. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a frame; traction wheels; a hand lever; driving connections therefor to one of said traction wheels; a pair of bellcrank foot levers arran ed so that one of their arms rojects rearwardly and the other downward y, the rearwardly-projecting arms being provided with foot-pieces; and coupling links for said foot levers to said hand levers, said links being adjustably connected to the downwardly-projecting arms of said foot levers.

9. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a frame; traction Wheels; a hand lever; driving connections therefor to one of the said traction wheels a pair of bellcrank foot levers, arranged so that one of the arms projects rearwardly and the other downwardly, the rearwardly projecting arms being provided with foot pieces; and connections for said foot levers to the said driving connections.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE E. OCONNOR. 

